But in other respects, Romney description of a sizeable percentage of the electorate dependent on federal programs applies to Louisiana and other Southern states, also clearly likely to support him in November.

By several important measures, Louisiana is in the top 10 of states in categories that measure the percentage of adults who don't pay taxes, or people who receive federal government benefits. And that's not even including the billions of dollars that flowed to the state after Hurricane Katrina.

According to the nonpartisan Tax Foundation, 39 percent of Louisiana residents who filed tax returns in 2008 didn't owe any federal income tax, the seventh highest percentage in the United States. That was largely a result of the Earned Income Tax Credit, a law developed in 1975 by then-Sen. Russell Long, D-La., that gives tax breaks for low-income workers so they can escape poverty.

It's a program that has generally received bipartisan and business support -- largely because it encourages people to take even low-wage jobs, knowing the credit will help them care for their families.

Still, most recipients of the credit pay payroll taxes for Social Security and Medicare, as well as state and local taxes.

In terms of another program that helps low-income Americans -- the federal food stamp program -- Louisiana, as of June, 2012, had a participation rate of 19.9 percent of state residents, also the seventh highest percentage in the country. The national participation rate is 15.1 percent.

For Medicare, the federal health insurance program for the elderly and disabled residents, Louisiana's 15 percent participation rate is identical to the U.S. average.

But the state has a higher percentage of people -- nearly 20 percent of beneficiaries -- who are under age 64, indicating a disability, compared with 15.7 percent nationally.

Scalise, Richmond weigh in

Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, said he agrees with Romney that his remarks, secretly recorded at a private fundraiser and given to the liberal Mother Jones magazine, were ineloquently delivered. But Scalise said the bottom line is that Romney is rightfully pointing to continuing harsh economic times for many Americans who can't find jobs "thanks to President Obama's failed economic policies" fostering increases in reliance on government programs like food stamps.

Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-New Orleans, however, called Romney's view "completely out of touch with the needs of the average American."

"In New Orleans, the median household income is $37,468, so the harsh reality is that most Louisianians and most Americans are struggling just to get by," Richmond said. "The seniors and low-income families in Louisiana know full well that Romney couldn't care less about their needs. What his statement really reveals is that Americans have a very clear choice in November. I am just glad that we were given a candid glimpse into where his priorities and allegiance really lie."

An ambivalent electorate

Thomas Langston, a political scientist at Tulane University, said the story "has taken off because it complements what many people think they already know about the candidate -- that however much he may love America, he's pretty cold in how he thinks about a whole lot of Americans."

Romney is now contrasting his belief in American exceptionalism with President Obama's statements made in 1998 on redistributing wealth from the most affluent to the poorest Americans.

"Romney says that this is a 'foreign idea,'" Langston said. "I think he's probably right to think that most Americans don't like the idea of 'spreading the wealth' as a principle, but there is a great deal of wealth redistribution built into some very popular government programs, including Social Security and Medicare."

University of New Orleans political scientist Ed Chervenak said Romney's comments will probably play well with some conservatives "who denounce what they see as a growing dependency on the government by Americans for benefits."

But not so much with the thousands of recipients of government assistance, including senior citizens who rely on Social Security and are voting in higher percentages in recent elections for the GOP.

"Although many of those who are recipients of government assistance are inclined to vote Republican, these comments aren't likely to inspire much enthusiasm about the Republican nominee," Chervenak said. "These folks likely aren't going to vote for Obama, but if they are having second thoughts about Romney, they may decide to stay home on Election Day."

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Bruce Alpert can be reached at balpert@timespicayune.com or 202.450.1406.